Hamilton Names Interim School Superintendent

Hamilton, IL – Superintendent James Jackson has taken an indefinite leave of absence. The request, which was not made available, cited medical reasons.

The district has hired former Superintendent Steve Breckon to replace Dr. Jackson on an interim basis. Dr. Breckon served in that capacity from 2001-2006.

Dr. Breckon says he is willing to help the district for as long as his services are needed.

"We have agreed that this will be open-ended," says Dr. Breckon, "when someone is off with health reasons, you can't really say how long they are going to be."

Dr. Breckon was hired following a special meeting of the Hamilton School Board on Dec. 2. Notice of that meeting was not provided to Tri States Public Radio and was only advertised in the classified section of the Daily Gate City newspaper.

Dr. Breckon took over as interim superintendent on Dec. 3.

Dr. Breckon's agreement with the district calls for him to be paid $450/day, plus business travel expenses, for up to 120 days. Jackson is in the 4th year of a five-year contract that runs through June of 2011.

Special MeetingThe results of another special meeting of the Hamilton School Board are not being made public.

The panel met in closed session, on Dec. 7, to discuss an employee disciplinary matter. Dr. Breckon says the district could not release details of a decision made about the issue, citing personnel issues.

Dr. Breckon would only say that the board adopted a resolution and an agreement regarding a district employee.